Should his catering thing not work out, Larry DiPasquale could always think about becoming a weatherman.
After all, he was spot-on when, a few numbers into her cabaret act, The Great American Songbook, Stepfanie Kramer paused to fan herself and inquire of the packed house, “Is it hot in here?”
“No!,” DiPasquale shot back. “You’re hot!”
OK so maybe he wasn’t referring to the weather. But the owner of Epicurean Catering was indeed speaking for those attending the benefit concert at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret. The concert, part of an evening that began with dinner at The Palm, raised enough money for the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers Foundation to assist at least 10 cancer patients with their bills as they are being treated for various forms of cancer.
“We don’t cure their cancer, but we can help with their utilities and day-to-day expenses,” noted Stephanie Shulman, the foundation’s executive director.Ellen Robinson Schwartz coordinated the event and had no trouble convincing Kramer, her cousin, to be the headliner. Not only does Kramer enjoy singing — she’s a mezzo-soprano — returning to Denver was an opportunity to reunite with the many friends she made while living here for several years following the end of her six-year run as Sgt. Dee Dee McCall on television’s “Hunter.”
In addition to Schwartz, family members turning out for the benefit included Dick and Marcia Robinson, Eddie and Susan Robinson and John and Kathleen Ziegler.
Marcia and Dick, incidentally, were sharing the happy news that their son and daughter-in-law, John and Lisa Robinson, will be moving back to Denver shortly with their children after spending several years in Texas where John was an executive with the dairy division of a major food company.
Ellen Schwartz is Marcia and Dick’s daughter, and she was celebrating her birthday that night. And though she would rather have kept that fact low-key, her husband, Mark Schwartz, marked the occasion by bringing a cake large enough for everyone to have a slice.
And Kramer led the audience in singing a round of “Happy Birthday.”
The warm summer weather was all the incentive several of the guests needed to dine on The Palm’s patio before walking across the plaza to the Clocktower Cabaret.
Those supporting the cause included Bob and Kalleen Malone; Dr. Deborah Shaw; Norm and Sunny Brownstein; Ron and Miriam Abreu; Nancy Sagar; Jay and Kristina Davidson; Gary and Donna Antonoff; Steve and Robin Chotin; Jamie Angelich; Dick Tucker and Sandy Melnick; Hank and Bobette Robinson; Jill DiPasquale; Steve and Michelle Toltz; Sue McFarlane; Tom and Danielle Okin; Bradley Joseph; Dr. Dean Prina; Gary Mobell; and Donna Crafton, who was discreetly spreading the word that comedian Chelsea Handler will be here in the fall to headline a benefit for NewGenesis, a program that helps the homeless.

Pictures taken at this event can be viewed at denverpost.com/seengallery

Denver Post Society Editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com

Greenwood Village’s swank new condominium development, The Landmark, was the setting for a reception at which Girl Scouts of Colorado revealed the identities of the Denver Women of Distinction for 2008.
The women, nominated by their peers and chosen for their professional and personal contributions to the community, will receive additional recognition Oct. 22 when the Women of Distinction Dinner takes place at the Marriott City Center. It will be chaired by Marilyn VanDerbur Atler, a Woman of Distinction in 2000, and her daughter, Jennifer Atler, who was honored in 2003.
Marilyn Atler is a former Miss America who has gone on to become an author and motivational speaker; Jennifer is executive director of Invest in Kids.
The 20 honorees are:
Retired dentist Julika Ambrose; Mary Baca, a community leader and mother of 1998 Woman of Distinction Patricia Baca; Pamela Kenney Basey, an accomplished cook who has been active in Project PAVE and other community organizations; Margaret Brown, president of Colorado Business Bank Northeast; Colleen Colarelli, president and chief executive officer of Girls Incorporated of Metro Denver; retired registered nurse Kay S. Daugherty of the Denver Health and Hospital Authority; Raylene Decatur, chief executive officer of Decatur & Co.; Bonnie Downing, vice president/development for Denver Museum of Nature and Science; andDawn Engle, co-founder and executive director of the PeaceJam Foundation.
Also, Lynn Gangone, dean of the University of Denver Women’s College; Irene Ibarra, president and chief executive officer of the Colorado Trust; Frances Jefferson, regional administrator for Region VIII of the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau; attorney Barbara Kelley, a partner at Kamlet Shepherd & Reichert; Mary Rhinehart, senior vice president and chief financial officer at Johns Manville; and Lucinda Sanders, chief executive officer and founder of the National Center for Women and Information Technology.
And, Sandra Scanlon, president of Scanlon Szynskie Group, Inc.; Lisa Snider, executive director of the Colorado Ballet; Teresa Taylor, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Qwest Communications; Lynne Valencia, vice president of community relations for 9News; and Barbara Yondorf, president of Yondorf & Associates.
Being named a Woman of Distinction is “An incredible honor,” Gangone said, and “Girl Scouts is an amazing organization. I credit Girl Scouts for my path to leadership.”
Another honoree, Barbara Kelley, said there is more to the Women of Distinction honor than meets the eye. “There is a real meaning to this. This is an opportunity to get to know (individual) Girl Scouts. I am looking forward to this.”
Since 1997, Girl Scouts has honored 328 women in the Denver area, all of whom share their commitment to the ideals of the Girl Scout program by providing mentoring, career exploration and guidance to Girl Scouts throughout the year.
The Women of Distinction program is a profitable one, having raised more than $2 million for Girl Scouts’ outreach programs. These programs serve thousands of girls who otherwise would not be able to participate in Girl Scouts.
The announcement reception was sponsored by Northern Trust, with members of Brownie Girl Scout Troop 285 of Denver helping to greet guests and distribute flowers to the honorees. In a break with tradition, the reception didn’t include the roasting of Girl Scout s’mores. Instead, guests enjoyed appetizers and desserts from Occasions by Sandy, as well as a Champagne toast to the 2008 Women of Distinction.
For more information on the Women of Distinction program, or to reserve a table for the celebratory dinner, call 303-778-8774.

See pictures from the announcement reception by visiting denverpost.com/seengallery

Denver Post Society Editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree is a saying that applies to a good number of the high school seniors that will be presented at the 25th Beautillion staged by Denver chapter of Jack and Jill of America.
Their parents are successful and prominent members of the community, and it’s apparent that the teenagers will be, too.
Take Kendall Early, for example. His father is former Denver District Attorney Norm Early and Kendall is hoping to either follow dad’s footsteps and become a lawyer, or enter the field of medicine.
Kendall soon will be starting his senior year at Kent Denver School, where he has a 3.84 grade point average, and is hoping to be accepted by Stanford University. At Kent, Kendall plays footballl, basketball and lacrosse and is a member of several student organizations.
His summer activities include conducting a sports camp at St. Anne’s Episcopal School, babysitting and staying in shape for football.
His mother, Adrianna Early, accompanied him to the garden party that June and Dr. Johnny Johnson had at their home to announce the 2008 Beaus.
June Johnson is chairing the Beautillion with Vanessa Jamison and Faye Wilson Tate and it was she who introduced the Beautillion to Denver chapter of Jack and Jill.
A former Miss Black Teen America, Johnson has been a Beautillion escort in Texas and had been looking for a meaningful way to bring public attention to all of the good things African-American teenagers were doing. Twenty-five years ago, she noted, the only publicity the teens were receiving was negative.Eriq Shipp, another of the 2008 Beaus, will be president of his senior class at Overland High School. The day before the announcement party, he received a letter of acceptance from Harvard.
In addition to being senior class president, Eriq, who is hoping to become a dentist, is president of the DECA and Future Business Leaders of America clubs at Overland and vice president of several others. He also created “from scratch” a group that promotes leadership skills for fellow African-American students at Overland.
Rangeview High’s Adrian Lockett said he was “very surprised and happy” to have been asked to be a 2008 Beau as it had been a goal of his since eighth grade. “When I opened the invitation, my mom was so happy and I said ‘yesssss!’ ”
Lockett, who plays soccer and football for Rangeview and is a member of its Rowdy Raiders spirit club, is working at a daycare center this summer. While he has not made a specific college choice yet, he does know that he’d like to major in communications or education and become a teacher.
Gamachu Said, who’ll be a senior at East High School, had just returned from Colorado College, where he was part of a summer program to acquaint outstanding high school seniors with college life. This week he leaves for a Rotary Youth Leadership camp, where he’ll serve as a counselor.
Gamachu is third-youngest of seven siblings; his father came emigrated to America from Ethiopia 19 years ago.
At East, Gamachu plays soccer and “studies hard.” He’s a former member of the Young Americans Bank youth advisory board and has his heart set on becoming an international business major at Columbia University.
Volunteering for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign is a highlight of Beau Michael Davis’ summer, and he’s hoping that his efforts will enable him to be in the audience at Invesco Field when Obama delivers his acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination.
A senior at Thomas Jefferson High School, where he’s a member of the National Honor Society, DECA and the Interact Club, Davis is also active in King Baptist Church, where he’s president of the youth choir.
As for college, he has his fingers crossed that Colorado School of Mines will accept him as a computer science major.
Another East High School student in the Beautillion Class of 2008 is Marcus Flowers. He’s holding down two jobs this summer — data processing in the Denver Elections Division and various responsibilities at the Harkness Theatres in Northfield — and looking forward to his senior year.
Marcus is a member of East’s national champion Constitutional Scholars team, president of the Black Student Alliance and a member of the poetry and hip-hop clubs. He also is a member of the track team, and is considering a career in entertainment law.Aaron Hill is quarterback of the Smoky Hill High School football team, and hopes to help lead it to a championship season. He is also one of those happiest to receive an invitation to become a Beau.
“I attended the Beautillion last year and was overwhelmed by how nice and how positive it was,” he said. “I knew right then that I had to be part of it.”
In addition to playing football, Hill is a key member of The Brotherhood, a mentoring and accent-the-positive organization for African-American high school students. “It started at Smoky Hill and is now going worldwide,” he said.
Hill is hoping to attend the University of Hawaii or Colorado State University, majoring in zoology.
Beaus to be presented at the Dec. 21 ceremony are: Kevin Patterson II, Taylor Johnson, Terrance Walker, Marcus Flowers, Brandon Miller, Ethan Rice, Nathan Brown, Philip Jones, Michael Marshall, Kendall Robertson, Aaron Giron, Valerian Riddle, James Bryant, Joshua Martin, Michael Davis II, David Jones, Bradley Steward, Micha Green, Deion Hardy, Kahler Billinghurst, Kendall Early, Adrian Lockett, Aris Molock, Jervae Roquemore, Greyland Howell, Travis Smith, Eriq Shipp, Benjamin Madry, Kendall Gregory-McGhee, Edward Harlan Jr. and Marray Napue.
Denver chapter member Sarie Patterson, wife of Denver School Board member Kevin Patterson and mother of Beau Kevin Patterson II, is charing the service project in which each Beau must participate: volunteering for four hours at Rainbow House.
Operated by Volunteers of America, Rainbow House serves low-income families affected by or infected with HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the service project is to learn more about these viruses and how to nurture those living with it.
The chapter is also encouraging Beaus to participate in the 9News school supply drive on Aug. 9.

Pictures taken at the announcement reception can be viewed at denverpost.com/seengallery

Denver Post Society Editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com

Being involved in the fine arts isn’t a requirement, but it was a happy coincidence that so many of the 2008 Fine Arts Foundation debutantes are singers, dancers and/or actresses.
Cherry Creek High School graduate Courtney Cahen, for example, says she hopes “to be on Broadway making a living some day soon.” It shouldn’t be an unattainable goal, for she sang in Creek’s elite choral groups, the Meistersingers and Union Street Jazz Choir; appeared in plays and musicals both at her school and in the Denver community; and held membership in the National Thespian Organization. Her online screen name: singitgrl.
Classmate Emily Fisher also has her eye on a career in the arts. After obtaining a bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theater, she hopes to live in New York and make her mark as an actor, dancer or singer. Emily credits her vocal coach, Natalie Oliver-Atherton, for giving her the encouragement to pursue her dream.
Oliver-Atherton’s “perseverance, talent, values and overall attitude” is inspiring Fisher says. “She never ceases to believe in me and push me to achieve excellence.”Elizabeth Mark’s credits include membership in the Girls’ 21 Choir and Meistersingers, both at Cherry Creek High School; the Younger Generation Players; Center Stage Starz dance academy; and the Colorado All-State Women’s Choir. She, too, would like to land on Broadway.Katie Leonard was president of Cherry Creek High’s Girls’ 21 Choir and has had some of her watercolor paintings published in Fine Arts Magazine, but her future is on a decidedly different track. She plans to major in aeronautical engineering or business, learn several languages, including Chinese and Arabic, and then see where all of that takes her.
Thirty recent high school graduates made their debut at the 2008 Fine Arts Foundation Debutante Ball. It was held at the University of Denver and was chaired by Kathy Brown and Margaret Bell.
Brown and Bell were joined in the receiving line by 2008 Citizen of the Arts Margaret Cunningham; tiara mistresses Ashby Evans Bell and Abigail Lauren Fisher; and receiving line escorts William Alexander Fisher and Mark Andrew Haddad, both juniors at Cherry Creek High School. The husbands of the ball chairs, Benjamin Liebmann Brown and the Rev. Dr. John Henry Bell Jr., also stood in the receiving line, as did Cunningham’s beau, Jim Creamer.
The debutantes were introduced by Brooks Walter Betts, husband of former debutante Stephanie Hinkle Betts. Her mother, Lynn Hinkle, is co-president, with Jean Watt, of the Fine Arts Foundation.
Once the presentation, and the traditional father-daughter waltz, had concluded, the 450 guests repaired to a festively decorated tent to dine on filet mignon and Oreo cheesecake and then dance to the music of New Society.
In addition to the aforementioned debs, the FAF Class of 2008 also included:Catherine Boyle, daughter of Christy and the late John Edward Boyle of Centennial. A graduate of Cherry Creek High, Catherine plans to attend the University of Colorado-Boulder with studies abroad in art. She hopes to become an elementary school teacher.Laura Brown, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Steven Brien Brown of Golden. A graduate of J.K. Mullen High School, where she was a cheerleader, class vice president and Torch Award recipient, Laura works as a program aide at a Girl Scout camp; she also earned a Girl Scout Gold Award.Annie DeShetler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Edwin DeShetler of Highlands Ranch. Annie lettered in theater and lacrosse at Mountain Vista High School, managed the Denver Ballet Guild’s Les Demoiselles program and has traveled to Germany, Austria, France and Spain.Andrea Fitch, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Raymond Fitch of Castle Rock. At Mullen High School, Andrea was a class president in 2005-06, served as the student council’s spirit officer and was on varsity poms. She also helped stage the Mullen Senior Citizen Prom and volunteered at Littleton Hospital.Nicole Harvey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marc Allen Harvey of Cherry Hills Village. A member of her high school’s tennis team and National Honor Society, Nicole plans to study journalism in college and remain active in snowboarding, tennis and art.Adelaide Hester, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Lumar Hester III of Denver. A graduate of Kent Denver School, Adelaide is a champion competitive sailor and skier. Sailing, skiing and and travel are her favorite activities.Katherine Jolliffe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Cumings Jolliffe of Greenwood Village. Kate was a member of Creek’s tennis team and was a national qualifier in DECA. She also made National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society and was an elite dancer.Margaret Keller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Burnett Keller of Greenwood Village. A graduate of Cherry Creek High School, Maggie plans to major in early childhood education at CU-Boulder and become a kindergarten teacher.Anne Lake, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eric Braun Lake of Highlands Ranch. She played varsity lacrosse for Highlands Ranch High School in 2007 and has participated in Les Cygnettes and the Denver Symphony Debs. She’ll major in journalism and mass communications at CU-Boulder.Jessica Lehigh, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Stephen Lehigh of Centennial. At Kent Denver School, from which she graduated cum laude, Jessica was a peer tutor and member of the varsity soccer and basketball teams. She also won awards in Latin and chemistry and received a letter of commendation in the National Merit Scholarship program.Alexandra Levenson, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Ian Robert Levenson of Cherry Hills Village. A member of Cherry Creek High School’s speech and debate team, Ali enjoys figure skating, cooking, snowboarding, traveling and dancing. She has volunteered as a coach for Special Olympics.Alyssa McDaniel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Michael McDaniel of Cherry Hills Village. Alyssa was cited for excellence in geometry and chemistry at St. Mary’s Academy, where she was president of Amnesty International, captain of the varsity volleyball team and student council secretary.Brittany McMorris and Lindsey McMorris, twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Dean McMorris of Cherry Hills Village. They’re graduates of Mullen High, where both were award-winning lacrosse players, making the All-Centennial League second team and the National Tournament Team in 2007, when it played in Lehigh, PA. Lindsey hopes to become an interior designer while her sister aspires to a career in TV sports broadcasting.Tanya Nathan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Nathan of Englewood. Tanya is a past president of Cherry Creek High School’s Girls’ 21 Choir and of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, on whose regional board she also served. She spent six weeks in Poland and Israel, and plans to major in international affairs at the University of Denver, using her education to benefit the less fortunate in Third World countries.Emily Pasternak, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Mark Randall Pasternak of Centennial. The Cherry Creek High graduate helped organize three blood drives for The Children’s Hospital and went on a mission trip to Kenya in the summer of 2006 to work with AIDS orphans. She’s toying with the idea of becoming a psychologist.Alexandra Pavek, daughter of Erin O’Brien and Mr. and Mrs. David Donder Pavek of Denver. Alix was student body president at St. Mary’s Academy this year and also served as president of the Outreach Club, played varsity basketball and received an award for outstanding achievement in community service for her trip to post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans with SMA and Catholic Charities.Katherine Porter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Steven Porter of Golden. A graduate of Mullen High School, where she received the Drama, Torch and Spirit awards, Katie was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and participated in the Knowledge Bowl. SCUBA diving, painting, wakeboarding and writing are among her passions; a career in international affairs is her goal.Jordan Poyfair, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Darwin J. Poyfair of Denver. A mogul and extreme skier, Jordan is ranked No. 8 in the U.S. in moguls for women of all ages. She is a two-time Junior Olympic Freestyle national champion and her immediate goal is to make the US Ski Team. At Kent Denver School, she was captain and most valuable player of the varsity volleyball team.Melanie Reiff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Michael Reiff of Englewood. Singing and playing piano are her passions; teaching music education at the high school or college level is her goal. Melanie sang in the Girls’ 21 Choir at Cherry Creek High School, where she lettered in dance and academics.Kristina Rogers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Brad Rogers of Highlands Ranch. Kristina played varsity volleyball all four years at Highlands Ranch High School and made the all-state team in 2007. She also was a member of the school’s homecoming royalty and aspires to become an anchor on “Good Morning America.”Caitlain Schnell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jay John Schnell of Greenwood Village. A graduate of Cherry Creek High School, where she was on the varsity tennis team, Caitlain hopes to continue as a competitive tennis player in college. She has volunteered at the Junior League’s Second Time Shop and aspires to a career in fashion.Margaret Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Matthew Smith of Lone Tree. A graduate of Regis Jesuit High School, Margaret spent two weeks volunteering in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina; she also volunteered at Praying Hands Ranch and Rocky Mountain Head Start here in Colorado. She’ll attend CU-Boulder and hopes to become a kindergarten or first grade teacher.Kathlen Spring, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lee Spring of Centennial. Kate graduated from Arapahoe High School, where she was Key Club vice president and was on the varsity cross-country, lacrosse and field hockey teams. She also played on the Rocky Mountain Regional Women’s Lacrosse National Team and was a basketball helper for Special Olympics Colorado. She plans to study restaurant and resort management at Colorado State University.Andrea Voth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ned Chris Voth of Littleton. At Mullen High School, Andrea played varsity lacrosse and was on the honor roll. She plans to major in journalism or marketing in college and to have a career in the fashion industry.Cassandra Wells, daughter of Gayle Wells of Denver. At Cherry Creek High School, Cassie sang with Meistersingers and the Union Street Jazz Choir, played varsity tennis and received academic honors at graduation. She plans to major in political science in college and then attend law school.

Pictures taken at the Fine Arts Foundation Debutante Ball can be viewed by visiting denverpost.com/seengallery

Denver Post Society Editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com

“Difficult” economy notwithstanding, the 10th Mask Project and Gala did better than Just OK. Figures released today indicate that 1,200 friends of The Denver Hospice attended the May 31 gala, raising an amount just shy of $1 million.
The attendance tied that of the gala’s first year, and the money represented proceeds from the online auction of 570 masks; sponsorships; and ticket sales for the gala held at Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
The Mask Project had record corporate sponsorships of $432,000 — a 22% increase over 2006. The Mask Project is held every other year.
What this proves, says The Denver Hospice spokeswoman Lynn Bronikowski, is that companies are willing to put money into cause marketing, even during challeging economic times.
The online auction of masks, she added, raised $100,000. That figure tied the record but was achieved with fewer masks: 570 in the 2008 gallery vs. Top sellers included the Democrats’ presumptive presidential nominee Barack Obama, whose mask sold for $4,400; actor Robert Redford’s creation that went for $2,300; President George W. Bush’s $1,700 mask; and actor George Clooney’s, which fetched $1,100.
Live bidding at the gala was conducted by Gary Corbett, who extracted $70,000 from friends of Steve Chotin in exchange for “The Heavens Smile,” a mask created by Charles Wooldridge that was a true work of art.
The mask was hand fabricated from a mixture of glass, zinc, brass and silver. The glass mixture is a compound of 15% black epoxy that is ground down with diamond pads and polished to create the effect of a starry night. The protruding, smiling face is sculpted to suggest that even in the midst of all that is happening in our lives and the universe around us, there is joy and happiness. Joy is a choice that can be alive, in us through us and around us.
This is the fourth time that Chotin has supported The Denver Hospice in a major way by calling on business colleagues and friends to join together for a collective bid. What started as an idea to create a team bid and generate interest among Chotin Group employees in 2002 has since evolved into a national request for help. Chotin sends letters to everyone he knows, inviting them to contribute to this charitable event, and they respond with enthusiasm.
Since 2002, the Chotin participation has contributed $260,000 to the cause.
“These are challenging economic times, and it certainly is a different world than it was two years ago,” Chotin says. “That’s why I’m so grateful for the outpouring of generosity that allows us to continue our support for The Denver Hospice.
“All of us, at one time or another, are faced with the impending death of a loved one,” he adds. “To know there are programs like The Denver Hospice that provide comfort and support to individuals and families during a most difficult time provides great solace. I’m honored that so many friends and business associates chose to give again to support such a worthy and deserving cause.”
Major contributors were The Chotin Group; The Chotin Foundation; Steve and Robin Chotin; the Tuchman Family Foundation; MDC Holdings; Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck; Jeff and Carole Schwartz; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Marano; Mr. and Mrs. James Lustig and C.L.F.S., Ltd.; Norm and Sunny Brownstein; Scott and Mauri Zemachson; and Raymond Sutton/ Baker and Hostetler LLP.
A paddle bid special appeal did quite well, too. David and Bonnie Mandarich raised their paddle and gave $25,000 in support of hospice care while others contributed the $100 gifts that auctioneer Gary Corbett said would “buy two tanks of gas for hospice nurses visiting homes.”
KYGO morning host Kelly Ford emceed the gala with Fox-31 anchor Libby Weaver. Speakers included Mickey Ackerman, whose idea it was to have a Mask Project in Denver, and Andrew Hudson, who movingly described what hospice care meant to his family during his mother’s final illness.Pete and Marilyn Coors were there to see the mask that Pete had painted himself go for $300; Coors CEO Leo Kiely also created a mask and it sold for $2,500.
Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey included a tour for four of the Denver Police Department crime lab with his mask, something that helped bring the selling price to $650.Frances Owens and daughter Monica arrived by way of the GOP state convention where Monica was elected to be a delegate to the party’s national convention in Minneapolis.
Hospice board member Ned Flanigan turned in the $30,000 high bid to buy the 2008 Harley-Davidson Rocker donated by Rocky Mountain Harley-Davidson. His purchase includes masks from Harley riders ZZ Top, actor Larry Hagman of “Dallas” fame, NASCAR driver Sterling Marlin and Willie G. Davidson, grandson of the founder of Harley-Davidson Motor Company.Luann and Micky Miller bought the Vespa donated by Erico Motorsports for their granddaughter.

Pictures from the Mask Project Gala can be viewed at denverpost.com/seengallery

For the high rollers among us, $500,000 could be considered chump change. Easy come, easy go.
But for Beacon Youth and Family Center, raking in a cool half-mil is something to celebrate. It’ll go a long way in helping the residential treatment facility carry out its work in turning troubled lives around. Work, by the way, that began in 1970 when Beacon was founded as Court House, Inc.
Viva Vegas was the theme for Beacon’s 2008 Cherish the Children Gala. Jamie Angelich was the chief croupier;Annabel Bowlen and Pamela O’Neal served as honorary chairmen.
Bowlen, whose husband, Pat, owns the Denver Broncos, founded Cherish the Children Guild. O’Neal is in her second term as president of it.
Interior designers Marc Roth and Jim Pfister, whose clients have included the late New York hotelier Leona Helmsley, once again donated their talent to make the party area — the Hyatt Regency Tech Center’s grand ballroom — come alive. Expert use of color, lighting, glittery backdrops and flowers from Newberry Bros. combined for a look that was pure Vegas Strip.Maureen Brooks of Brooks International booked the entertainment, a host of Sin City’s top impersonators who brought such showroom headliners as Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Cher, Tina Turner and Barbra Streisand to the Denver stage.
Costumed showgirls mixed and mingled during cocktail hour, and led the conga line that brought guests to their tables for a shrimp and chicken dinner. And when it came time for emcee Vic Lombardi to come to the stage, two of them escorted the CBS4 sports anchor to the microphone.
One of the people he introduced was his new colleague at CBS4, news anchor Karen Leigh, who turned quite a few heads in her white satin strapless cocktail dress. Both Lombardi and Leigh enjoyed their dinner with The Boss, CBS4 General Manager Walt DeHaven, whose wife, Wendy Aiello, served as gala public relations chair.
Intentionally or not, the entertainment wound up being interactive.
Never one to just sit on the sidelines, Jim Pfister didn’t hesitate when “Cher” spotted him at the Bowlens’ ringside table and pulled him on stage with her. She plopped a Sonny Bono-style wig on his head and instructed him to sing along. Dude can carry a tune! “You would have thought he was a plant but he wasn’t,” Jamie Angelich confirmed.
Also lured by the bright lights: committee member Suzy Hamilton, who strutted her stuff as an impromptu backup dancer to Tina Turner. “Those Texas girls know how to do it!” Angelich added.
Angelich, who came to Denver from her native Texas, was accompanied by hubby Alan, a retired founder of Janco Partners, and her sister and brother-in-law, Lynn and Jim Miles of Fort Worth.Sharon Magness Blake and Ernie Blake headed the fund-raiser’s corporate committee, and filled their table with such friends as Dan and Aimee Sporer Caplis; Rich and Holly Kylberg (Rich was looking suave in a Sinatra-style hat and suit); David Alexander; and Yvonne and Bill McCallum.Debra McKenney rounded up some amazing items for the live auction, but was unable to be there to see Paul Behr sell them for equally amazing prices. Don’t feel too sorry for her, though: She was celebrating her birthday in Italy.
Committee member Debi Medved helped Behr promote one of the items, a four-day, $20,000 trip to Lake Louise, Canada, for John F. Kennedy Jr.’s Celebrity Ski Weekend, which attracts the likes of Pierce Brosnan, Susan Sarandon, Alec Baldwin and Kevin Costner. With Medved’s help, it eventually sold for full price.
Ralph and Anne Klomp, owners of Trice Jewelers and recipients of the 2008 Golden Cherub Award for service to Beacon Center, donated a $58,000 diamond necklace for the auction; Lasik specialist Dr. Larry Spivak, there with Andrea Bankoff, stayed in the bidding right up to the minute when he was trumped by Charlie McNeil, who bought it for his wife, Judy.
A silent auction, arranged by Kay Burke and Dayla Newberry, was conducted during cocktail hour.
Not all of the nifty presents were up for sale, though. The gift bags, whose contents were obtained by Judianne Atencio, given to each couple included lip plumper and a makeup consultation from Laura Mercier and Neiman Marcus; a Drambuie liqueur miniature courtesy of Lukas Liquors SuperStore; a spa product and guest pass from Pura Vida and Nectar Spa; candle matches, also from Neiman Marcus; a 30 years of music CD donated by Morton’s DTC; certificates from ReJuv Spa and Palms Tanning Resort Certificate; full-size skin care products from Cosmetic Essence; jewelry polishing cloths from Trice; and a certificate that can be exchanged for a Dimension Z Golf Wedge.Terry Vitale, publisher of Colorado Expression magazine, moved up the press date so gala-goers could take home the very latest issue. Not to be outdone, Denver Magazine publisher Michael Ledwitz, at the event with his wife, Wendy, claimed dibs for next year.
Forty-three people served on the planning committee, and a full 95 percent were there.
Others in the crowd of 600: Beacon Center Executive Director Anne Robinson; board president Michael Miller; Karen Dolan; big ticket sellers Sally Rogers and Andrea Gray; Kevin and Ann Reidy; Bonnie and David Mandarich; Marilynn and Ken Carroll (he’s president of Wild Blue Communications); Stephanie and Perry Odak; Diane Mager with beau Michael Martin; and Drs. Patrick Lillis and Kristin Baird, who had become engaged that very night.
Lillis and Martin also had birthdays that day, and so as a surprise to them, the committee had decorated their table with hats, horns and streamers.Dick Saunders was there minus girlfriend Jeanne Portmann, who was out of town; Judi Wolf, who is chairing the June 21 National Repertory Orchestra Summer Gala; Neyeska and Steve Mut, who were high bidders on a Malcolm Farley original in the live auction and a fur vest from Andreas’ Furs in the silent bidding; Michael Dunahay; Bob and Ruth Beriault; John and Andrea Dikeou; Kelly (in a vintage white dress that had belonged to her mother) and David Storrs; Julia and Sarah Peay (Julia got the “award” for buying the most items in the silent auction); Denise Snyder, owner of Mariel’s in Larimer Square; Nancy and John Sevo, who were fresh from a Florida vacation; Lisa and Dr. Rick Schaler (who donated a $3,000 Mixto Micro Fractional Laser treatment); Jane and Skip Netzorg; Judith Hirsch Walker and Jim Walker; Diane Metz Kreider with husband and ReMAX executive John Kreider; Linda Christie Horn with Steve Robbins; Deana Perlmutter; and John Faught.

Quote of the evening: “If you died too rich, then maybe you lived too poor…” Ralph Klomp in his acceptance speech, quoting his father.

Pictures taken at Viva Vegas are at denverpost.com/seengallery.

Denver Post Society Editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com

If you blinked, you very well may have missed the Junior Symphony Guild’s 2008 Designer Showhouse. It was open to the public for a period just shy of two weeks; in previous years, Showhouses had runs lasting a month or so.
However, those fortunate enough to have seen what teams of talented designers did to give the historic Phipps Tennis Pavilion a much-needed sprucing up are still talking about what an amazing transformation it was.
Built for the late U.S. Sen. Lawrence C. Phipps on the grounds of the storied Phipps Mansion in Denver’s Belcaro neighborhood, the pavilion, which was completed in 1932, had grown a little raggedy around the edges in recent years thanks to wear and tear generated by wedding receptions, fund-raisers and other public events. Though the structure is owned by the University of Denver, attention to it had waned.
The senator and his wife, Margaret, had started the massive construction project in order to provide business and jobs during the Depression. The Tennis Pavilion was the first indoor court west of the Mississippi River. , and boasted an 8,000-square-foot tennis area, living room, gallery, kitchen, men’s and women’s dressing rooms, and an upstairs apartment.
The living room has stained glass windows and a winter mural by Colorado artist Allen True. The wall of windows in the gallery opens to an expanse of gardens.
A soda fountain that adjoins the small kitchen has wonderful history. The Phipps family tradition was to sign the walls of the soda fountain during their annual New Year’s party and other events throughout the year, and the signatures include famous tennis players from around the world and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Lawrence Phipps came to Denver from Pittsburgh, after retiring as a vice president of Carnegie Steel. Already a multi-millionaire in his mid-30s, he is said to have come to Colorado to “invest in health and happiness.” He married Margaret Rogers, with whom he had two sons, Gerald and Allen. Lawrence C. Phipps, Jr., from a previous marriage, moved with his father from Pennsylvania to Colorado.
Lawrence C. Phipps died in 1958. Margaret Rogers Phipps gave the Tennis Pavilion to the University of Denver in 1960 and then, with the concurrence of her sons, gave the mansion in 1964.
The opening gala, Fabulous 50 at the Phipps, also marked the JSG’s golden anniversary. Gala chairs were Carol James and Jane Wilson; Evelyn Wright, Sarah Omer, Andrea Kirchhoff and Jane Koerbel were the Showhouse chairs.
Twenty past presidents were at the gala, as were 19 of the 33 women who had served as Showhouse chairs over the years.Amy Blumental, who has worked on at least 20 Showhouses, flew in from her home in Charlotte, NC, to join in the festivities, while Scottie Button was there from Superstition Mountain, Ariz., and Linda Duncan traveled from Mableton, Ga.
It was a bittersweet night for Marie Belew Wheatley, who’d been married at Phipps Mansion 10 years to the day of the opening gala; sadly, her husband had died just weeks before the big night.
Past presidents there included Mary Lou Walters, Glenda Richter, Barbara Uhrich, Joan French, Linda Diekvoss, Michelle Austin, Linda Holben, Marla Gentry, JoAnn Gadkowski, and Chris Agnew.Ann Cole, who’d chaired the most succesful Showhouse, the Highlands Ranch Mansion, in 1986, had fun reminiscing with such other past leaders as Gail Berliner (1978), Mari Fountain (2004), Denise Sanderson (1993) and Linda Bryant (2002).
The guild’s public relations chair, Marcia Norman, loaned the gown she had worn for her 1951 wedding, to the cause. It was used to decorate the newly refurbished bride’s room.Pam Kelker was glowing from the numerous kudos she was receiving on the Herculean effort she put in re-doing the tennis court area; ditto for Richard White of HW Home, decorator for the balcony overlooking the indoor court.
“For a while, it looked like we might not have a Showhouse this year,” Jane Wilson said. “But with this being the guild’s 50th year, the members said this wasn’t the year to put the project on hiatus.”
Pure chance is how the Tennis Pavilion was selected. “I’d come out here to check it out as an event rental and immediately saw that it needed us,” she said. “So we lined up some decorators, who painted and sanded and cleaned before bringing in their merchandise; Marla and Dick Gentry donated drapery fabric from their Wesco Fabrics, and before long, the pavilion had its much-needed facelift.”
Others enjoying champagne and a Footers Catering buffet: Jim and Kate Taucher, Bob and Kathleen Reginelli, Tom Jensen, Sonny and Pam Wiegand, Lisa Merritt, and JSG president-elect Christine Thomas with hubby David.

Denver Post Society Editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com.

Pictures from the opening night gala can be viewed at www.denverpost.com/seengallery

Felicia Michelle Adams, daughter of John Adams and Verlean Adams, and a senior at East High School, where her activities included dance, track and volleyball. Felicia will major in biology at Colorado State University-Pueblo and plans to become an obstetrician/gynecologist. “Meeting all these lovely young ladies” has been the highlight of her debutante experience. Her escort for the ball was Noel Smith, a 2006 graduate of Montbello High School.

Chontavia Marie Cooper, whose well-wishers for the ball included Denver Bronco Dre Bly. Chontavia is in the first graduating class for Denver School of Science and Technology, where she was homecoming queen, a member of the yearbook staff and prom committee. She was also crowned queen of the Sigma Pearls Cotillion. Her parents are Troy Davis and Tonya Davis and she will be pre-med at Fisk University. Of her desire ro become a pediatrician, Chontavia says “It always hurts me to see a child not being able to function as it should.” Her escort was Devon Darville, who graduated from high school in 2007 in Louisiana.

Shashawna Fay Crowe,who plans to enroll at Metropolitan State College of Denver following her May 21 graduation from Regis Jesuit High School. She’ll major in business management and administration. At Regis, Shashawna was founder and captain of the Lady Raiders step team, served on the Multi-Cultural Alliance executive board and attended diversity conferences both locally and nationally. Her parents are Wythe and Linda Crow. Shashawna says that being a deb was neat in that “People recognize you for all your accomplishments” and that she particularly enjoyed taking part in the community service component of the program. Her escort: DeAndre Davis, a student at Denver School of Science and Technology.

Iliah Marie Duncan is the daughter of Keith and Diedra Duncan and will graduate from Rangeview High School. She credits the debutante experience with helping her to “Open up more … it brought me out of my shell.” During high school, Iliah worked two jobs to earn money for her college tuition; she’ll attend school in Louisiana, majoring in computer science with goal of becoming a systems analyst. Dancing is her passion, as is writing music. Her escort was Deon Davis, a student at Smoky Hill High School.

Kyla Michelle Hoovergraduated a semester ahead of her senior class at Smoky Hill High School and has been taking classes at Community College of Aurora since January. She is currently weighing options offered by other schools, including Florida State University, in her desired major of sociology. Darrell Armour and Charlotte Armour-Hoover are her parents; her escort was Vaughn Sterling, a student at Gateway High School. Of the debutante experience, Kyla said: “My mom, who had been a deb, told me it’d be a fun thing — and she was right!”

Kera Nalene Keliiholokai is graduating from Hinkley High School with a 2.714 GPA and while she knows she wants to major in music, she is still deciding on which of the colleges that have accepted her to attend. She’s a vocalist who can sing any style of music and has her eye on oneday landing a role on Broadway. She’s a Denver native with a Hawaiian grandfather, and says that when she looks back on her high school days she will be proudest of “Being able to accomplish things I didn’t think I could.” Her parents are William Keliiholokai and Kecia Keliiholokai and her escort was Joshua Taylor, a student at East High School.

Courtney Tyler Marsh maintained a cumulative 3.176 GPA at Gateway HIgh School, and for that she received an academic letter. She also received an athletic letter for playing volleyball all four years and assisting the coaching staff by instructing elementary school students in the fundamentals of the game and encouraging middle school students to play when they enter high school. Not surprisingly, then, she will major in elementary education at the University of Northern Colorado. As for being a deb, Courtney said: “I loved dressing up, looking nice and having a day that was all for myself.” Her parents are Melvin Marsh and Gwendolyn Marsh; her escort was Rangeview High School student Wilbur Powell.

Mira Elizabeth McClinon was accepted by three colleges and has chosen Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., where she will enter a five-year engineering program that will eventually yield an MBA. Biochemical engineering is her primary interest, and she also enjoys basketball and will play for the women’s team at Gonzaga. “I love playing basketball,” she said, but a pro career isn’t on her radar screen. “Education is going to take me a lot farther than the WNBA,” she observes. Mira was a member of Kent Denver School’s elite basketball team for three years and was twice voted MVP of the volleyball team. Her parents are Rudolph McClinon Jr. and Karen Parks-McClinon; her escort was Tory Hill, a graduating senior at Hinkley High School.

Carli Symone Pearce is graduating from Gateway High School with a 3.2 cumulative GPA, for which she received an academic letter and was recognizd as an outstanding student in the foreign language and social studies departments. The daughter of Angela Pearce, Carli will double-major in social work and Spanish at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C. Her goal is to become a social worker. “I’ve seen so many problems that I think I can fix,” she said. At Gateway, Carli was captain of the hip-hop dance team and belonged to the Pep, Ebony and Spanish clubs. She was presented by her pastor, Lee Hall Sr., and escorted by Tyler Johnson, a 2006 graduate of Grandview High School.

Tina Marie Trammer is graduating from Aurora Central High School with a cumulative GPA of 3.105, which earned her a spot on the Honor Roll for the past nine quarters. Before starting her pre-law studies at the University of Colorado-Denver, Tina will get a close-up look at politics by serving an internship with the Obama campaign during the Democratic National Convention. Her career goal is to become a district attorney. Tina is the daughter of Ida Holloway and won two Debate Club awards in high school. She was presented by Justin Trammer and her escort was Shane McGee, a student at Montbello High School.

Pictures taken at the Sigma Pearls Cotillion Ball can be viewed at denverpost.com/seengallery. Another story about the debs appears in Joanne Davidson’s column in the print edition of today’s Denver Post.

Society Editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com.

The 2008 Denver Debutante Ball honorees were introduced for the first time at an afternoon held last week at Brooke Parker’s Greenwood Village Home. Also see society editor Joanne Davidson’s column in the March 5 food section and denverpost.com/SeenGallery for pictures.
The 2008 debs are:Sarah Grace Ammons
Kent Denver School
Dr. and Mrs. Mark Anders Ammons (Lee Anne and Mark)
Aunt Melissa Hamilton Ammons was presented in 1975
President, Kent Denver chapter of El Pomar Youth and Community Service
Competitive equestrian, shows quarter horses

Zoe Elizabeth Bidell
Kent Denver School
Dr. Thomas Richard Bidell and Jill Weller Nelson
Mother Jill Weller Nelson was presented in 1969
Great-great-grandfather was mayor of Aspen
Interested in filmmaking; attended summer program at the University of Southern California in 2007 where she produced a documentary and two commercials

Anna Katherine Burchenal (Kate)
Colorado Academy
Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Wells Burchenal (Shan and Caleb)
Three Burchenal aunts were debutates in New York City
Founder, recycling group at Colorado Academy
2nd Team All-Conference honors in lacrosse

Frances Kappner Clark (Kappner)
St. Mary’s Academy
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Raoul Clark (Karen and Raoul)
President of National Honor Society
Captain of school lacrosse and field hockey teams
1st Team Academic All-State in field hockey and lacrosse
Volunteer at Warren Village

Taylor Cora Dolven
Cherry Creek High School
Lynn Dolven and the late Thomas Richard Dolven
Volunteers at Craig Hospital
Interests include horseback riding and photography
Participant, Speech and Debate and Cross Country teams at Creek

Elizabeth Ashton Eliot
Colorado Academy
Mr. and Mrs. John Phillip Eliot (Missy and John)
Mother Melissa Kintzele Eliot was presented in 1979
Grandmother Sue Kintzele is a former Denver Debutante Ball committee member, mother currently serves on committee
Member, National Society of High School Scholars
Timothy Johnson Service Award, volunteers for Brent’s Place and Food Bank of the Rockies
5th-generation Colorado native

Mackenzie Caroline Gilchrist (Kenzie)
East High School
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Ian Gilchrist (Jeanne and Tim)
Sister Lindsay Gilchrist was presented in 2001
Member of the national champion Constitutional Scholars team
Honor Roll member all four years of high school

Georgia Pynchon Grey
Colorado Academy
Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler Everett Grey III (Sarah and Schuyler)
Sister Carter Grey was presented in 2006
Selected to Community Leadership Team by Colorado Academy faculty
Honor Roll, all four years of high school
Volunteer: H.O.P.E., Salvation Army and elementary children tutor

Alexandra Scripps Gross (Lexy)
Metropolitan State College
Catherine Groos and the late Alexander McIntosh Groos
Planning to attend Santa Monica Community College to study acting
4th generation Coloradan
Great uncle, the late E. Atwill Gilman, emceed the Denver Debutante Ball for 25 years; Great aunt, Callae Gilman, remains involved with the ball
Cousin Elizabeth Gilman Pickard also will be presented this year
National and regional honors in equestrian competitions

Katherine Elizabeth Jolliffe (Kate)
Cherry Creek High School
Mr. and Mrs. William Cumings Jolliffe (Mancy and Will)
Future Community Leaders of America, 1st Place in state competition
State and national qualifier for DECA
Member National Charity League, volunteers for Project CURE
National Honor Society member

Caroline Neville Knudson
Kent Denver School
John Carl Knudson and Nancy McCurdy (John and Nancy)
Manager of Kent’s varsity hockey team
Member, tennis team
Spent last summer in Argentina with a community outreach group focusing on environmental clean-up

Anne Elizabeth Lake (Annie)
Highlands Ranch High School
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Lake (Gwen and Eric)
Great-great-grandfather discovered Cave of the Winds
Mother, Gwen Sylling, was presented in the late 1970s
Great aunt, Mary Kay Deline, was presented at the first Denver Debutante Ball in 1956
Interests include DECA, lacrosse
Studying communications at the University of Colorado-Boulder in the fall

Natalie Anita Latcham (Tally)
George Washington High School International Baccalaureate program
Mr. and Mrs. Chester Thomas Latcham (Toni and Chetter)
Sisters Jaime and Keely were debs in 2004 and 2006, respectively
Varsity swim team, holds two state records
Columnist for high school newspaper

Elizabeth Anne Marsico
Cherry Creek High School
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher James Marsico (Tammy and Chris)
Will attend University of Southern California
U.S.Tennis Association National Juniors Fed Cup Tennis Team Member, 2007
Member of Team Colorado tennis and Number One singles player at Cherry Creek, 10th and 11th grades
4th generation Coloradan
National Honor Society, graduating with high honors
Cousin Jennifer Marsico was presented at the Denver Debuntante Ball

Olivia Baker Nicholson
George Washington International Baccalaureate Program
Mr. and Mrs. Will Faust Nicholson III (Christine and Will)
Great-Grandfather Will Faust Nicholson was Denver’s mayor in 1956 and stood in the first Denver Debutante Ball receiving line
Mr. and Mrs. Will Faust Nicholson Jr. stood in receiving line for the 50th anniversary ball
Great-Great Grandfather Jim Burns founded Portland Gold Mine in Cripple Creek
Varsity volleyball team captain, with interests in photography

Jade St. Vrain Perkins
J.K. Mullen High School
Mr. and Mrs. John Willard Perkins (Denise and John)
4th generation Coloradan; direct descendent of fur trappers and traders Ceran and Mackellin St. Vrain
Received Best Volunteer Award from Colorado Community Hospice
National Honor Society member

Olivia Sullivan Ross
Colorado Academy
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Worth Ross (Mary and Jeff)
Will attend Johns Hopkins University
Co-President of HOPE, a school organization that supports homeless programs
Volunteered for an orphanage in the Dominican Republic

Haley Marie Sorensen
Kent Denver School
Mr. and Mrs. James William Sorensen (Jodi and Bill)
Vice President of Kent Denver Credit Union, largest student run credit union in the United States
Volunteer tutor for Denver Public Schools middle-school children
Varsity golf team, Blue Key member, selected to Student Ambassador Program
Father was Boettcher Foundation trustee for many years

Ann Marie Stookesberry (Annie)
Kent Denver School
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Damuel Stookesberry (Ginger and Steve)
Will attending Boston University
3rd generation Coloradan; great grandfather was instrumental in bringing railroad from Cheyenne to Denver
Sister Lucy was presented in 2002
Traveled to Dominican Republic in 2006 to help build library and teach English

Sarah Elizabeth Tredennick
Kent School in Connecticut
Mr. and Mrs. John Cook Tredennick, Jr. (Page and John)
Mother was a debutante in Cincinnati in 1971
Sarah has received many national equestrian awards in show jumping; finishing 5th in the North American Young Riders Competition in 2007
Selected as a student ambassador to Australia in 9th grade

Megan Elizabeth Zajkowski (Meggie)
Colorado Academy
Amy Beth Harvey
Gregg Mitchell Zajkowski
Selected for the Oxford Tradition Program at Pembroke College in 2007; studied molecular medicine as well as archaeology and anthropology
Worked with Spanish-speaking children enrolled in Denver metro Head Start programs

Pictures taken at the announcement tea can be viewed at denverpost.com/SeenGallery

Sure, they can skate, but how do members of the Colorado Avalanche handle themselves on a fashion runway? Like the two-time Stanley Cup champions they are.
The team’s annual Charity Brunch and Fashion Show, held at the Marriott City Center and presented in cooperation with Neiman Marcus Cherry Creek, not only was a chance for captain Joe Sakic and such teammates as Peter Budaj, Ian Laperriere and Ruslan Salei to give a ballroom filled with fans a good look at their kinder, gentler side, it also afforded a first look at the newly re-signed Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote. They’d just blown back into town and fortunately for everyone, Neiman Marcus had kept their measurements which meant they could be quickly and correctly outfitted for the show.
The players, plus a few coaches, walked the runway with children who are coping with serious illness.
Before brunch was served, guests could bid on one-of-a-kind gift baskets filled with Avalanche players “favorite things.” Party favors were copies of the limited-edition Colorado Avalanche cookbook filled with recipes from the players themselves.
Since its start in 1997, the Colorado Avalanche Charity Brunch has raised over $500,000 for local children’s charities.

Pictures taken at the brunch can be viewed at denverpost.com/SeenGallery.

Denver Post Society Editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com.

Study after study has shown that when it comes to charitable fundraisers, Denver has more per capita than any comparably sized city in the nation. Joanne Davidson has been covering them for The Denver Post since 1985, coming here from her native California where she'd spent the previous seven years as San Francisco bureau chief for U.S. News & World Report magazine.